Misato Nakamura

Sport: Judo

Nation: Japan

DOB: April 28, 1989

Career Highlights: The 2008 bronze medalist at the Beijing Games in the 52-kilogram class, Nakamura is expected to vie with rival compatriot Yuka Nishida for the gold in London. Nakamura is ranked third in her weight class, narrowly behind Mongolia's Bundmaa Munkhbaatar _ whom she has beaten four times in as many head-to-head matches _ for the No. 2 spot. Nakamura defeated Nishida in the final of the 2011 World Championship, avenging a loss to her one year prior at the worlds. In the only match between the two in 2012, Nakamura lost to Nishida in the final of the Masters Almaty in Kazakhstan. However, for all her upside, Nakamura had a relatively uneven 2011 season, winning two titles but also losing in the quarterfinals of two others. The year before, she won five titles in addition to her runner-up showing at the worlds, and has eight championships to her credit overall.

Olympic History: 2008